When it comes to Father of the Year, the emu sets the bar high. After the female lays the eggs, Dad takes over—incubating the clutch for nearly two months while barely eating or drinking, before raising and fiercely protecting the striped chicks on his own for up to 18 months. The emu is Australia’s tallest native bird and the second-largest bird in the world, capable of sprinting across the landscape at speeds of up to 50 km/h on its powerful legs. Found across much of the country, emus roam grasslands, woodlands and deserts in search of seeds, fruits and insects. Protecting large, connected landscapes is important for these wide-ranging birds, and organisations like Bush Heritage Australia work to conserve the habitats they depend on. An emu’s legs are so strong they can take strides up to three metres long—which explains why trying to keep up with one on foot is a losing game.